Match Threads Liverpool vs Spurs - Match Thread - Day 13

[Bulletspur]

LIVERPOOL 2-1 SPURS
Salah, Firmino Son​

Spurs: Lloris (c), Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies, Hojbjerg, Sissoko, Lo Celso (Lucas), Bergwijn (Reguilon), Son (Dele), Kane.
Subs: Hart, Rodon, Ndombele, Winks.

Liverpool:
Subs:

Official Site Match Centre

TEAM FORM: - Liverpool - DWWDD----- Spurs - DDWWD -------- (All Competitions)

Christmas will come early for Premier League fans when we the leaders will be hosted by the champions in a mouth-watering midweek showdown as Liverpool welcome us to Anfield on Wednesday night. Our two sides are separated by only goal difference heading into the contest, but both of us will be looking to bounce back from underwhelming 1-1 draws at the weekend. The scene could hardly be set more enticingly for this Christmas cracker of a fixture as we, the league's top two sides go head to head under the Anfield lights while level on points.

Both us and Liverpool have an identical record of seven wins, four draws and one defeat so far this season, and also have identical form of two home wins and two away draws from our last four league games. Wednesday's contest also pits the league's best attack against the league's best defence, and the best home form against one of the best away records in the division this season. There are plenty of perfectly-poised elements to this game, then, but despite being so well matched in so many areas, it is Liverpool who will go into it as favourites due largely to their home form. Comfortable victories over Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last two league games at Anfield mean that they have now won 31 of their last 32 such outings, taking a staggering 94 points from the 96 on offer in that time, and scoring 93 goals too. The unbeaten run now stretches back to 65 games, although on Wednesday they will face our side which is full of confidence that we could be the team to end that run.

However imperious that home record is, Liverpool do still have their problems this season - not least in the injury stakes with as many as nine first-team players in danger of missing this game. Sunday's 1-1 draw at Fulham was also a fifth consecutive Premier League away game which Liverpool have failed to win, meaning that they have already dropped 11 points this season. It took the Reds until the 35th game last season to drop their 11th point, going on to drop just 15 all term, while at the same stage of 2019-20 they were nine points better off and already eight points clear at the top of the table. There is no doubt that their form has dropped off since clinching the title, but this is a season like no other and, considering their injury problems, Klopp will be satisfied to still be sitting joint-top of the table Liverpool were always expected to sit in and around the upper echelons of the table this season after cruising to the title so convincingly last term, but fewer people backed us to be right up there with them at this stage of the campaign.

A 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday dented our title hopes somewhat, but there is nonetheless growing belief amongst the supporters that this could be the year we end a 60-year wait to be crowned champions. There is good reason for that too; we have already beaten Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal this season, in addition to picking up a good point away to Chelsea. Ending Liverpool's long home unbeaten record would be the biggest statement of our title credentials yet, while we also face Leicester and Wolves in their next two league games after Wednesday to cap off a testing festive schedule.

If, at the end of all of that, we still lead the way then it will be hard for anyone to dismiss the chances of Jose winning a fourth Premier League title as a manager, although the flip side of that is that a slump in form could suddenly see we fall away, such is the tight nature of the table this season. We are now unbeaten in our last nine away league games - our longest such run since April 2018 - and, while four of those have been draws, we would probably regard another stalemate as a good result on Wednesday night. We have also won three of their last seven away league games against the reigning top-flight champions, which is as many as we had managed in our previous 40 such matches.

Add to that the Mourinho factor and his ability to grind out results when visiting fellow 'big six' opposition and we have every reason to believe that we can achieve the rare feat of coming away from Anfield with something as a visiting team. That said, Mourinho has never won in five previous away meetings with Klopp, which is his worst such record against any manager in his career! Whether he can end that hoodoo – and we can end our poor recent record against Liverpool - remains to be seen, but it is a very finely poised.

Banner courtesy of @chrissivad

 

[Erm33]

I have a sneaky feeling we'll win

 

[PrettyColors]

If there ever were a match I’m glad we play before a vaccine it’s away at Anfield. We have an abysmal record there recently, there always seems to be a big decision influenced by the crowd, and their high press can feel a lot more daunting with the roar from the stands. Since the Trump rallies have ended, you’re not likely to see a more delusional crowd of pricks wearing red anywhere else in the world than Liverpool.

In many ways I think we’re in for the toughest match of the season, even with their injuries. Salah and Mane, when on form, are better than any of City or Chelsea’s attackers and their high press is their best attribute. They don’t let you get a breath and use their fullbacks pace in quick transition, it really is leagues ahead of a Brighton or Palace pressing system, with which we have struggled mightily. Klopp always gets his side up for Spurs.

However, I am more hopeful than usual, and that’s because they aren’t the normal Liverpool at the back. TAA is out of form and they have only one fit senior CB. The midfield is good but with Fabinho at CB, there will be space for Kane and N’Dombele in the center of the park. And if we get the right bounces, the counter has been on - I look at Arsenal giving Liverpool a scare and see us being able to do much better than that.

Hoping for an early goal and a 3-1 victory, but we know they will create chances. A draw would be more than acceptable as well.

 

[hellava_tough]

If we beat Liverpool, there's a good chance that they could be out of the Top 4 by the weekend.

That's how close things are at the top!!

That said, a draw would be fine at Anfield and I expect Jose to play for one.

 

[Kiedis]

It's a tough mental test, bacause Liverpool is so relentless on that front themselves. It's a game where we cannot sink into our own shell and spend 30-45 minutes without meningful attacks and possession just hoping for that one good counter attack.

It's a fixture we actually used to play well in under Poch, but only ever got a couple of draws. Should be a decent game, and with all of Liverpools injuries and a pretty empty Anfield, if we can't get anything this time, it could be something of a boost for Liverpool and a blow for us.

 

[yid-down-under]

Since the Trump rallies have ended, you’re not likely to see a more delusional crowd of pricks wearing red anywhere else in the world than Liverpool.

I think this is one of the funniest sentences I’ve read. Ever.

 

[nicdic]

We’re a much better counter attacking team than Villa and they scored seven. Sure Adrian was in goal that night, but they also had van Dijk available. This Liverpool team is seriously vulnerable on the counter and I have a feeling we could see a repeat of the City and Arsenal games.

 

[spursfan1976]

Liverpool is tier 2, so still be 2000 fans in, which as we saw at the weekend can still be a help to the home side!

If there ever were a match I’m glad we play before a vaccine it’s away at Anfield. We have an abysmal record there recently, there always seems to be a big decision influenced by the crowd, and their high press can feel a lot more daunting with the roar from the stands. Since the Trump rallies have ended, you’re not likely to see a more delusional crowd of pricks wearing red anywhere else in the world than Liverpool.

In many ways I think we’re in for the toughest match of the season, even with their injuries. Salah and Mane, when on form, are better than any of City or Chelsea’s attackers and their high press is their best attribute. They don’t let you get a breath and use their fullbacks pace in quick transition, it really is leagues ahead of a Brighton or Palace pressing system, with which we have struggled mightily. Klopp always gets his side up for Spurs.

However, I am more hopeful than usual, and that’s because they aren’t the normal Liverpool at the back. TAA is out of form and they have only one fit senior CB. The midfield is good but with Fabinho at CB, there will be space for Kane and N’Dombele in the center of the park. And if we get the right bounces, the counter has been on - I look at Arsenal giving Liverpool a scare and see us being able to do much better than that.

Hoping for an early goal and a 3-1 victory, but we know they will create chances. A draw would be more than acceptable as well.

 

[jonnyrotten]

Since the Trump rallies have ended, you’re not likely to see a more delusional crowd of pricks wearing red anywhere else in the world than Liverpool.

I doff my cap sir, excellent work.

 

[Mr Pink]

Yeah this feels like our chance. I think its all about belief because we have the quality to seriously hurt that patched up back line.

If we shrink in the moment they'll inevitably win but I'm backing Jose to instil that belief and of course we know how we'll set up.

I'm going 2-1 Spurs. Kane and Son.

 

[Japhet]

Should be an interesting one to say the least. We can't expect to sit back and soak up the sort of pressure they're capable of applying, but equally, they can't afford to get caught on the break with their back line in tatters. Winning challenges and 2nd balls will be crucial for us and we'll have to up our game substantially on that front to have a chance.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I look at their midfield of Henderson, Jones and Wijnaldum and feel we should be able to compete with the players we have. Add to that their defensive issues I think we have a strong chance of getting something there. Of course they have a phenomenal home record but even that had to end at some point. Why not us?

 

[Serpico]

I hope its the team that wants it more wins. I feel, we want it more. It feels like a cup final to me, its on my mind more than sex. Lets hope we give a good account of ourselves and come away with at least a draw. Lets hope Salah doesn't get away y with that silly body wobble with arms a loft to get a penalty of players booked and Klopp putting pressure on the officials. A fair contest we have a chance.

 

[wishkah]

My Birthday tomorrow. The plan was a nice meal out with the Mrs but due to Tier 3 now the plan is FIFA and beers in my pants from noon before some drunken TV shouting for the kick-off.

COOOOOOYSSSSSSSSS

 

[Mate]

Always hate this fixture. I can only remember one victory at Anfield, a 2-0 win which was a dead rubber if I recall

 

[JimmyG2]

I have a sneaky feeling we'll win

I have a sneaky feeling we won't

 

[Gassin's finest]

I am more confident about this one, because we know our game plan for these matches.

Our biggest danger will be VAR and Salah/Mane's bullshit.

 

[JCRD]

I want us to destroy these fuckers.... then when we destroy them; we destroy them some more... #shownomercy

COYMFMFMFMFMFMFMFMFMS

 

[Mr Pink]

Jota was pivotal in their recent home wins as well.

 

[carpediem991]

Always hate this fixture. I can only remember one victory at Anfield, a 2-0 win which was a dead rubber if I recall

2011 van der Vaart screamer and Modric penalty?

I remember being there. One of my rather rare away trips.

Really hope we can get a result. That would be a statement.